Chapter 234: Still One and a Half Years (Yesterday's)

The next morning.

A gentle breeze blew, rippling the lake surface, and at the moment the dawn light broke through, Niu Dingtian slowly opened his eyes.

After a night passed, Niu Dingtian's mood was still good. At least his meridians had recovered eighty to ninety percent, allowing him to move about as freely as an ordinary person.

He rose, went to the water's edge to wash his face, glanced at his shabby dwelling nearby, shook his head, then returned to the grass hermitage, picked up a kitchen knife, and walked toward the few willows in the middle of the lakeshore.

He would be staying here for quite a few more days; the better, the better.

Thus, he spent a full half day, and three of the four willow trees were cut down by him.

Using the reeds and mud by the shore, he not only repaired and expanded the original grass hermitage, but also built a pavilion beside it.

As for this skill, back then he had often helped his sister-in-law build chicken coops, and over time he became increasingly proficient.

In the afternoon, a hermitage and a pavilion stood by the lakeside; the pavilion's head hung a wooden plaque inscribed with 'Ri Yue An'. Though simple, it exuded a distinctive charm.

And the few washed, damaged garments were laid flat on the reeds nearby, weighing them down so they bent and swayed in the wind, on the verge of falling.

Because he had no change of clothes, after washing his body Niu Dingtian did not rush ashore but instead began swimming in the lake.

He swam and swam, leaving the lotus pond behind and reaching the vast, boundless lake surface.

As a native of Approaching Peace, who often practiced martial arts along the banks of the Money Pond River, Niu Dingtian's swimming ability need not be elaborated.

To wait for his clothes to dry, after getting tired from swimming he plucked a lotus leaf to cover his face, lay on his back floating in the water, half-dozing while contemplating his future plans.

After all, he had once been a mighty cultivator of the Heavenly Human Realm; retracing his former path was far too easy.

Whether it was the Nine Yin Classic, the Nine Yang True Scripture, the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms, the One Yang Finger, the Young Forest Seventy-two Supreme Techniques, or the martial arts of Peach Blossom Island and so on.

Since he had already studied and mastered them thoroughly, it was as if he had opened a god's-eye view; once he began retraining, his progress would be thousands or even tens of thousands of times faster than an ordinary person's.

"Old monk..."

"Sunflower Old Ancestor..."

Niu Dingtian muttered to himself.

If the two worlds were merely a difference in time and not independent of each other.

That old monk and the Sunflower Old Ancestor must certainly exist, and the Spirit Spring Cave in Peach Spring County must certainly be there as well.

"Yah!!"

As his thoughts wandered, suddenly a coquettish cry came from afar.

Niu Dingtian reacted instantly, hastily diving into the water.

It was A Bi's voice.

"Who! Come out!"

Only the sound of oars and paddling grew nearer, and another voice shouted shrilly.

Niu Dingtian paid no heed; instead, he held his breath and dove deeper.

Here the lake water was unusually clear; heaven pity, he was still naked……

But after holding his breath underwater for a long while, the two shadowy figures above not only did not leave, but instead grabbed bamboo poles and kept poking at the water, threatening him.

"Gurgle..."

Niu Dingtian exhaled a mouthful of air, sending two large bubbles up to the lake surface.

He had no internal energy left, unable to perform breath-holding technique, and was already near his limit.

"If you don't come out, I'll poke you!"

The bamboo pole on the water surface was aimed at this side.

"Splash~"

"Niu, Young Master Niu?"

Seeing Niu Dingtian clinging to the boat's edge, panting nonstop, A Bi's face showed surprise; she then threw down the bamboo pole and turned away, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Beside her, A Zhu in a light crimson gauze shirt, perhaps because she had glanced a couple more times, hurriedly turned around, and her snowy white neck already showed a blush on one side.

"How, how did you come here?" A Bi, her back turned, cheeks flushed red, stammered as she asked.

What exactly she had seen from afar only she herself knew.

As a maid skilled in the Participation Union Finger who also played the zither and flute, she had never even seen her young master's chest.

Niu Dingtian wiped his face, glanced at that crimson backdrop, and smiled: "This morning I built a pavilion, washed my clothes, but they're not dry yet, so I can only wait in the water."

A Bi's ears tinged red; her heart was both nervous and bashful, and for a moment she didn't know how to reply.

Seeing the girl silent, Niu Dingtian said: "Miss A Bi, did you bring clothes?"

"I brought them, I brought them! A Zhu sister, quickly hand them to Young Master Niu!" A Bi hastily tugged at A Zhu's sleeve; the clothes she had brought were right beside A Zhu's feet.

A Zhu, with a fierce glare from the corner of her almond eyes at A Bi, could only squat down, pick up a set of long robes and a pair of socks and shoes, then slowly retreat, extending them toward the source of the voice.

"Can Young Master Niu reach it?" A Zhu asked softly.

"He can reach it."

"Thank you, Miss A Zhu."

After receiving them in hand, Niu Dingtian leapt aboard the boat and, on the shaking deck, quickly put on his clothes and shoes.

He also wrung out a handful of water from his wet hair, broke off a small section of the pole, tied it up, and then said to the two: "All right."

A Zhu and A Bi, hearing this, slowly turned around; their lovely faces still bore a faint blush.

One in crimson, the other in green, with slender waists and fair wrists, their sashes fluttering, reflecting the lake's hues, a glance gave the impression of a scene from a painting.

Compared to A Bi, A Zhu was clearly much calmer; after a slight ease, her eyes lively, she sized up Niu Dingtian and chuckled: "How does Young Master Niu know I'm called A Zhu?"

Niu Dingtian gave a slight smile: "How does Miss A Zhu know I am Young Master Niu?"

Just this pointless question-and-answer exchange gave them a rough impression of each other's personalities.

A Zhu withdrew her smile, stepped forward, and bowed to Niu Dingtian: "Miss A Zhu has come today specifically to apologize to Young Master Niu."

Seeing Young Master Niu's surprise, she recounted without concealment how she had sliced the token with her sword the previous night.

She apologetically said, "A Zhu didn't know the token came from elsewhere; she had a playful thought, but fortunately it's intact, please forgive her, Young Master Niu."

At this moment, A Bi, face flushed with shame, took out the token from her bosom with both hands and offered it, saying softly.

"I examined it many times last night but saw no trace; Young Master Niu, if you don't believe me, please take a look yourself."

The two stood close, each emitting a faint fragrance that made one unconsciously want to draw near.

Niu Dingtian did not reach out to take it.

The token was forged by him melting a piece of the Holy Fire Order with black iron; if there truly existed a sharp weapon capable of leaving a mark, he would feel somewhat tempted.

He glanced at A Bi, smiled, and said, "Put it away; leaving a mark doesn't matter, it's just that making Miss A Bi lose a night's sleep is a rather serious fault."

After hearing this, A Bi's cheeks flushed slightly; seeing that Niu Dingtian had no intention of accepting it, she silently slipped it back into her bosom.

A Zhu smiled slightly and said, "Knowing that Young Master Niu lacks things here, I brought everything today. I also have a few items to offer as compensation; Young Master Niu will surely like them."

Seeing Niu Dingtian's refined demeanor, she thought he must be of extraordinary background, and that he could be so amiable even to a lowly servant made her feel a bit closer. "Thank you, Miss A Zhu."

Niu Dingtian laughed and thanked her.

As he was about to pick up the oar to row the boat, A Bi saw this, hurried over, and smiling said, "This is work for us servants; Young Master Niu, just sit tight."

Niu Dingtian felt a stir, took the oar from the girl's hand, shook his head, and said, "I haven't rowed in years; since I'll be staying on the lake for a while, let me practice."

Only then did A Bi relent.

However, seeing Niu Dingtian's awkward start, she and A Zhu couldn't help but sit at the bow, covering their mouths and laughing.

Niu Dingtian didn't feel embarrassed; regardless of past or present life, he thought this was a rare pleasure.

In his previous life he had fragrant carriages and beautiful women; now his rickety little boat counts as having once carried a beauty.

After a few unsteady strokes, Niu Dingtian found his feel and paddled the small boat toward the lotus pond.

After the small boat left the lotus pond, the group saw a hermitage and a pavilion by the lakeside; A Zhu showed little reaction, while A Bi widened her eyes.

"Is this what Young Master Niu made in half a day?" A Bi glanced at the several bare willow trees in the lake's center, turned her head, and asked.

Niu Dingtian nodded and smiled, saying:

"People are greedy; yesterday having a place to stay, today they want a bigger one; today having tea to drink, tomorrow they want wine."

"I never expected Miss A Zhu to bring such fine tea; I just don't know when we'll be able to drink the fine wine she sent."

Moving the bamboo basket in the boat's cabin, he discovered it contained not only snacks but also a tea set, a tea stove, and a canister of tea leaves; smelling its aroma, it was exactly like the later-era Biluochun.

Another basket held various everyday necessities.

After hearing Niu Dingtian's words, A Zhu smiled without speaking, merely letting her gaze fall upon the extremely simple pavilion, where a strange hue flickered in her beautiful eyes.

"Mind like white clouds ever at ease, intent like flowing water, unbound."

"Ri Yue An..."

Recalling that token she had never seen before, which could actually chip a sword blade, she felt all the more that Niu Dingtian's identity was not simple.

According to A Bi, this person was yesterday unable to rise from his injuries, yet today he could vigorously erect a house...

After the three went ashore, A Bi took the initiative to arrange the items she had brought.

Seeing A Zhu staring blankly at the couplet on the pavilion, Niu Dingtian stepped beside her and asked, "What are you thinking about, Miss A Zhu?"

"Is Young Master Niu a scholar?" A Zhu suddenly asked.

Compared to earlier on the boat, now the two were closer; a slight turn of her body made Niu Dingtian's face clearer to her.

Indeed, as A Bi had said, he was not handsome in the conventional sense, but extraordinarily refined, exuding an indescribable charm.

"I have indeed read a few books."

Niu Dingtian smiled and said, "The teacher once said I had considerable talent; if I persevere, passing the imperial examinations is certain."

"Then why... why didn't you persevere, Young Master Niu?" A Zhu's eyes showed curiosity as she involuntarily glanced at his face.

"Later I found martial arts more interesting, so I gave up literature for martial arts." Meeting her gaze, Niu Dingtian stared briefly, then spoke softly.

Those eyes conveyed a lively spirit, giving a sense of having met before.

"Does Young Master Niu know martial arts?"

A Zhu was instantly startled.

She had observed him all along and detected no inner strength, only thinking Niu Dingtian was a frail scholar.

Moreover, she seemed to have heard her young master say that this is what a true master who has returned to simplicity looks like.

Niu Dingtian smiled faintly and said, "I do know a bit of martial arts, but this time my injuries were too severe, and my strength is gone."

"I often hear of Northern Qiao Feng and Southern Murong; Master Murong's might shakes the martial world, and in Jiangnan none can surpass him. If I could learn even a bit of Master Murong's martial arts, I would be content for life."

A Zhu couldn't help but smile and say, "It's true that Northern Qiao Feng and Southern Murong are unmatched, but though countless heroes exist under heaven, claiming no one in Jiangnan can rival him, our young master dare not accept such praise."

Niu Dingtian smiled, said nothing more, and inwardly found himself envying Murong Fu.

Even a servant girl sees things more clearly than the master; unlike our foolish maid Yun Ling.

At that moment, A Bi arranged the snacks on the simple wooden table in the pavilion, poured clear tea, and smilingly said to Niu Dingtian, "Young Master Niu, please come and taste; the snacks were made personally by Miss A Zhu, and the tea leaves were also pan-fried by her—once you try them, you surely won't anger her."

Seeing A Zhu's lovely eyes gazing at him with a smile, Niu Dingtian did not bother to explain.

Walking into the hall, the three each took a side; Niu Dingtian lifted his teacup, a fresh fragrance assailed his nose, he lifted the lid, and pale green tea water floated with specks of deep green tea leaves, like tiny pearls covered in fine down.

After a sip, he felt only a fresh aroma filling his mouth, saliva rising under his tongue—exactly the taste of later-era Biluochun.

"How does Young Master Niu feel?"

A Bi blinked her eyes and asked.

A Zhu also looked over, full of anticipation, seemingly hoping to hear a few words of praise.

Seeing Niu Dingtian staring at the tea leaves in the bowl, she smiled and explained, "These are tea leaves freshly picked this year, a specialty of the mountains near Taihu Lake; locals call them 'Frighteningly Fragrant'."

Niu Dingtian shook his head.

The two smiles froze on their faces.

Niu Dingtian then took another gentle sip, carefully savoring the familiar hometown flavor, and sighed, "The tea is absolutely excellent; it's just that the name is unpleasant. Since it was picked in spring, shaped like a spiral, and prepared by Miss A Bi herself, I think it should be called Biluochun."

Green Snail Spring? A Bi was stunned for a moment, then reacted, her face instantly turning red, and she hurriedly waved her hands, saying: "No, no, how could it be called Green Snail Spring?"

Niu Dingtian took another sip, savored it carefully, and insisted: "Anyway, from now on I will only call it Green Snail Spring."

A Bi's face turned even redder.

A Zhu, seeing this, suddenly felt a pang of jealousy; the tea leaves were still the ones I fried, why don't you call it "Red Snail Spring"? Pah pah pah, what Red Snail Spring...

A Zhu was startled by that name.

However, upon further thought, the three words "Green Snail Spring" truly match this tea, absolutely beautiful.

Just as the two ladies were distracted, Niu Dingtian gently set down his teacup, looked at A Zhu, and asked curiously: "I greatly admire Young Master Murong, but I know little about Bei Qiaofeng; I've only heard that he is the chief of the Beggars' Sect. Miss A Zhu, do you know how many years Chief Qiao has led the Beggars' Sect?"

How many years has he led the Beggars' Sect?

A Zhu came to her senses, silently calculated, and murmured: "Chief Qiao took office as sect leader in the sixth year of Yuanfeng; counting this year, it should be exactly seven years."

"Seven years? Then there's still one year left." Niu Dingtian thought silently, gaining a clear understanding of the current time.

If he wanted to go out and have fun, he at most had another one and a half years to improve his skills.

"Young Master Niu, do you have something to attend to?"

Seeing Niu Dingtian silent, A Zhu asked softly; upon hearing this, A Bi also raised her slightly flushed cheeks.

Niu Dingtian shook his head and smiled: "I'm wondering whether Chief Qiao prefers drinking alcohol or tea; when I have money, I will definitely buy some gifts to visit him."

A Zhu was left speechless upon hearing that.

Everyone knows Hero Qiao loves drinking alcohol the most; it's obvious he's just making excuses.

However, after glancing at Niu Dingtian's utterly impoverished home, she and A Bi exchanged a look, and before leaving, they still secretly left ten taels of silver. (End of chapter)